Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Total Questions: 49

11. In the context of recent advances in human reproductive technology, "Pronuclear Transfer" is used for: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (d) Prevention of mitochondrial diseases in offspring
Solution:‘Pronuclear Transfer’ is a reproductive technology used for creating a ‘three-parent baby’ to prevent mitochondrial diseases in offspring. It involves removing faulty mitochondria during fertilization, preventing diseases like heart issues, liver failure, and muscular dystrophy. The term "three-parent" refers to DNA contributions from a mother, a father, and a woman donor.

12. In the context of hereditary diseases, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2021]

  1. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondrial replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of egg.
  2. A child inherits mitochondrial diseases entirely from mother and not from father.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT), sometimes called mitochondrial donation, is the replacement of mitochondrial DNA to prevent or ameliorate disease.

MRT is a special form of in vitro fertilization in which some or all of the future baby’s mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) comes from a third party. This technique is used in cases where mothers carry genes for mitochondrial diseases.

The therapy is approved for use in the United Kingdom. Currently, there are three MRT techniques in use: maternal spindle transfer (MST), pronuclear transfer (PNT), and polar body transfer (PBT).

Mitochondrial donation can be performed either prior to or shortly after fertilization, before the fertilized egg becomes an embryo. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Mitochondrial diseases may be caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or in nuclear genes coding for mitochondrial components. Nuclear DNA has two copies per cell (except for sperm and egg cells), inherited from both parents.

However, mitochondrial DNA is typically inherited from the mother only. Studies published in November 2018 identified some individuals with mtDNA from both parents, making statement 2 incorrect.

Note: UPSC has given answer (b) for this question in its official answer key.

13. Assertion (A): Dolly was the first cloned mammal. [I.A.S. (Pre) 1999]

Reason (R): Dolly was produced by in-vitro fertilization.

Correct Answer: (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
Solution:Dolly was born in Roslin Institute of Scotlan 1996 by the efforts of lan Wilmut, Keith Campbell and their colleagues. She was the first mammal in the world, cloned from adult somatic cell successfully. Dolly was developed by conventional cloning technique, not by in-vitro fertilization. In-vitro fertilization is accepted widely for effective treatment of infertility.

14. Which of the facts about Dolly (sheep), the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, is not correct? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (c) Dolly was born in the year 1998.
Solution:Dolly was a female domestic sheep, and the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. She was cloned at University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She was born on 5 July, 1996 and died on 14 February, 2003 from a progressive lung disease 5 months before her seventh birthday

15. Which of the following is the first living cloned genetically engineered organism by humans? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]

Correct Answer: (a) Dolly
Solution:Dolly was a female domestic sheep, and the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. She was cloned at University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She was born on 5 July, 1996 and died on 14 February, 2003 from a progressive lung disease 5 months before her seventh birthday

16. Which among the following was the first successfully cloned animal? [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2021]

Correct Answer: (d) Sheep
Solution:Dolly was a female domestic sheep, and the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. She was cloned at University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She was born on 5 July, 1996 and died on 14 February, 2003 from a progressive lung disease 5 months before her seventh birthday

17. Which one was the first successful cloned animal? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) Sheep
Solution:Dolly was a female domestic sheep, and the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. She was cloned at University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She was born on 5 July, 1996 and died on 14 February, 2003 from a progressive lung disease 5 months before her seventh birthday

18. Scientists of N.D.R.L., Karnal (Haryana) developed the second clone of which of the following animals? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (b) Buffalo
Solution:The world’s first cloned buffalo calf ‘Samrupa’ through the ‘Hand guided Cloning Technique’ was born on 6 February, 2009 at NDRI, Karnal. Subsequently, the second cloned calf ‘Garima’ was born on 6 June, 2009, with a birth weight of 43 kg.

19. Garima II is the name of a — [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

Correct Answer: (a) Cloned buffalo
Solution:The team of scientists at NDRI, Karnal, developed a cloned buffalo named Garima II on 22 August, 2010. Clone buffalo Garima II gave birth to a healthy female calf named Mahima on 25 January, 2013.

20. Which country has produced the first transgenic glowing pigs that are all green from inside out? [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

Correct Answer: (d) Taiwan
Solution:The research group at National Taiwan University produced the first transgenic glowing pig in 2006. Three male transgenic pigs were born by introducing glowing green protein into the pig embryo.